It’s the matchup many expected to see in the first weekend of November.
The Interlake Thunder varsity squad, undefeated this season, will take on the St. Vital Mustangs, the reigning back-to-back champions. The two teams will meet for the Rural Manitoba Football League championship this weekend in Stonewall — the third consecutive final between the rivals, with kickoff set for 2 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 2.
St. Vital has held the upper hand in previous years, and Thunder players and staff are eager for a different outcome this time around.
Many on Interlake’s roster were part of both earlier finals losses and came into this season with a chip on their shoulder. The Thunder also hold the head-to-head advantage this year, having defeated St. Vital 47-32 in Week 1.
Now, much later into the season, both teams have developed into polished, playoff-ready contenders.
“We’ve changed a lot since then — we’ll find out how much they’ve changed,” said Thunder head coach Christof Hasselfield. “I’m quite confident that our team has grown immensely since Week One. Our defence didn’t really form up and come together to become the machine that it was through the year until maybe Week Three or Four, and lots of lessons go into that.
“I trust the way our guys have responded. We know we’re in for a heck of a game, and I’d be lying if I said there wasn’t part of me that wouldn’t have it any other way than to go through the Mustangs and do it in a way that leaves no doubt.”
Both clubs rolled through their semi-finals last week — Interlake defeating Moosomin 50-34 on the road, and St. Vital cruising past Dauphin 48-14.
This time, the Thunder will have home-field advantage, with the championship set for Stonewall.
Interlake opened the scoring on an A.J. Nadon touchdown before Moosomin answered. The Thunder trailed 8-7 after the first quarter but took control with a 13-1 second quarter to lead 20-9 at halftime.
Their offence broke the game open in the third, as quarterback Jessie Batenchuk connected with his familiar targets. Jamie Dandeneau and Dylan MacLean each found the end zone, while Christian Mozdzen scored late to seal the win.
Hasselfield credited Moosomin for putting up one of the toughest challenges Interlake has seen this season.
“They gave us the biggest challenge we’ve had so far this year,” he said. “That’s how playoff football goes. Their offensive line and their defensive line punched us in the mouth a couple of times. But I appreciate the way our guys fought back, regained their composure and really put it on them in the third quarter.”
The RMFL championship will kick off at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 2 at Stonewall Collegiate Field.
